Troubleshooting Lights On Travel Trailer Going On and Off While Being Towed

Question:

I just purchased a used travel trailer and when towing it home with my 06 Dodge 3500 5.9 diesel with the headlights on, the trailer lights were turning on and off and sometimes dimming in between. We had trouble getting the lights on to start when we were picking up the trailer. The guy I bought it from tested the trucks trailer lights with a wire tester and said he was only getting half the power. The 7 pin truck connection had a bent tab pin. We were able to bend it back and the lights worked, but we were experiencing the random on/off with dimming on the trailer the whole time the truck lights were on. Is this a battery issue or something else? My truck has 2 batteries.

asked by: Dustin

Expert Reply:

I am sorry to hear about your issue!

Based on the issue you are describing it sounds like the trailer connector was not making a good connection to the 7-way connector on your 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. Since you found a bent pin I would bet that the issue is the pins are not making constant contact.

I recommend replacing the connector on your truck with the # HM42190 and your issues should go away. It would also not hurt to go ahead and check that the trailer end connector does not have any corrosion or debris/damage as well.

If it does you will want to go ahead and replace it with the # PK12706.

I included videos of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C